Means for locking and unlocking mail-pouches



(No Model.)

A. J .A SHAW. MEANS PoR LOCKING AND UNLOGKING MAIL POUGHBS.

Patented June 28, 1892."

YH: mums rusas co., moro-uma., msmuovon. o. c.

UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR J. SHAV, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

MEANS FOR LOCKING AND IJNLOCKING MAIL-POUOHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.`47'7,963, dated June 28, 1892.

` Application tiled November l2, 1891. Serial No. 411,688. (No model.)

To aZ Z whom t may concern.-

Be 1t known that I, ARTHUR J. SHAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of Washmgton, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Locking and Unlocking Mail-Pouches; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specication.

My invention relates to improvements inl means for locking and unlocking the mouths of mail-pouches. The object of the invention is to convenlently and securely close and lock the mouth of a mail-pouch, as well as to quickly open the same.

To this end my invention consists in combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

Flgure l is a view of the upper portion of a mail-pouch, showing the iiap open or extended and with a portion of the front wall broken away. Fig. 2 is a view of the upper portion of a mail-pouch, partly in section, showing the locking devices in elevation. Flg. 3 is a section through the lock proper on line a: a: of Fig. 2. Fig.`4 is a similar section on line Z Z through one of the snap-catches. Flg: is a view showing the lock proper in p0s1t1on reversed from that in Fig. 2, the lock-plate being removed. Fig. 6 is an elevation, and Fig. 7 a section, of the label-case or tag-holder.

A is the front, and A the back, of a mailpouch.

B is the flap, secured to the back by rivets or other suitable means.

C is one of a series of rings for suspendlng the pouch, secured to the back through the flap-'piece by bolts or rivets.

D is a strip or plate of rubber or other suitable elastic material, also made fast to the back. This strip is of about the thickness of the depth of the locking devices and is pro in which the cases of the locking-catches are embedded.

E E are barbed studs or bolts made fast to and 'projecting inwardly from the edge of the flap.

h b are a pair of a series of pairs of jaws, adj usted to close toward each oth er by springs c c, constituting snap-catches for engaging the shoulders of the barbed studs. The

cases of said jaws are arranged in recesses in the rubber D and securely fastened tothe back of the pouch. Within the cases and alongside of the jaws are cam-levers or tumblers CZ d, each having an arm e, projecting through a slot for connection with a chain or strap. The cam-surfaces of these tumblers bear against studs or pins l 1 in the jaws, andserve to open said jaws when vibrated by means of the chain or strap. The cases are closed by suitable perforated caps 2 2, as shown in Fig. 1. l

The key-operated part of the lock consists of a suitable case H, an open ring or tumbler h, having a 1nanglegear,and a projecting cam 4, rack-bars 4 4, and a spring locking-dog 5. The lock-case is closed on the outside by a plate having a suitable keyhole. Connected with the rack-bars 4 4 are chains or straps 6 G, perforated to receive the arms c of the cam-levers.

Operation: The pouch is locked by inserting the barbed studs E in the perforations in plates 2 and pressing the edge of the flap against the walls of the pouch. In this way the flap is secured and locked along its entire edge without the delay incident to the use of staples and strap, the usual Way of fastening. To unlock the pouch, a key being inserted through the keyhole and turned,it engages the open ring h, and the cam 3 lifts the locking-dog 5 during the :first part of the movement of the ring. The movement being continued, the racks 4 4 are engaged, the chains or straps 6 6 are movedlongitudinally, the cam levers d d are vibrated, and the jaws b b are opened, at which time the barbed studs may be Withdrawn from behind the spring-jaws and the flap released and opened.

Z is a tag-holder fastened to the middle part of the fiap on the front side of the pouch, so

i that it will be in plain view when the pouch is hung on a hook or rack. This holder is pro- IOO vided with a socket having the end of its bed curved, as shown at n, to securely hold the tag; or 1abel in place.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new is l. The combination, in a mailponch, of a rubber or like flexible frame attached to the back of the mouth of the pouch, a series of locking devices embedded in said frame, a flap, a series of studs connected with the iap, and snap-catches inclosed in the flexible frame.

2. The combination, in a mail-pouch, of a flap, a series of studs connected with the Hap,

snap-catches consisting of spring-jaws b .b,-

having` pins or projections 1 1,'a series of cam-levers, as d, a key-operated ring or tumbler, and straps or links connecting said carnlevers and ring or tumbler, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR J. SHAW.

Witnesses:

CHAS. E. NEWTON, GEORGE A. SILvEY. 

